Wimbledon Mens Players | Mens Singles Champions | Andy Murray | Roger Federer Mens Players Wimbledon Mens Singles We take a look at the mens singles competition, providing background and chances of the players for the 2011 tournament at the All England Club. Many Tennis fans would argue that Wimbledon is the toughest of the four majors to win as it is the only one played on a grass surface. The winner must therefore be versatile in handling the different challenges that playing on grass poses. Please check here for details of the 2010 Wimbledon mens seedings . The 2011 Men’s singles at Wimbledon promises yet again to be as exciting as ever with Roger Federer favourite in the Wimbledon mens singles betting to win the crown once again afre beating Andy Roddick last year. Nadal’s victory in 2008 prevented Federer from becoming the first man in Wimbledon history to record six straight wins, he will be back at SW19 for the first time since and desperate to regain his crown. In some media circles Federer was being written off last year, but he came back to the top when he won the US Open Tennis for the fifth straight year, defeating Britain's Andy Murray in the final.

He then lost to Nadal in the Australian Open final in another five set epic, before achieving his greatest moment in tennis, when he won the French Open title for the first time. That win gave him a record equalling fourteen Grand Slams a record he shares with, Sampras and he also became the first man since Andre Agassi to win all four Grand Slam titles. We think that Federer should win once more this year but the following players all have chances Robin Soderling Fred Perry - The last British Mens Single Champion Fred Perry was the last British mens single champion at Wimbledon when he won the title for the third and final time in 1936. Perry, had won the previous two mens singles titles at the 1934 and 1935 Championship and despite being some years ago reports suggest that he was one of the greatest ever Wimbledon champions. Can Scot, Andy Murray emulate the great man this year? Murray has been in outstanding form this year and won the the title at Queens Club last week. He has shot up to number three in the world rankings and is third favourite to win in the mens singles betting. He reached the quarter finals last year where he was beaten by Rafa Nadal.

Tim Henman remains the only British player to get to the semi finals in recent years, he achieved this four times in total. Modern Era Mens Wimbledon Champions In recent years, some of the biggest names in mens Tennis have lifted the famous Mens Singles trophy. Four times champion Rod Laver was the first male to claim the title in the open era in 1968 and 1969. Fellow Australian John Newcombe won back to back championships in 1970 and 1971 before Bjorn Borg won four consecutive titles between 1976 - 79. During the 80s, the Wimbledon mens singles title was won by great names such as John McEnroe, Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg, all who won the title on more than one occasion during the decade. American great Pete Sampras dominated the title in the 90s winning the mens singles crown a total of seven times between 1993 and 2000, only Richard Krajicek stopped him from winning a Wimbledon record eight straight titles.

In recent years, the mens singles game has been all about Roger Federer who has won the last four Wimbledon mens singles championships and the Swiss star shows no signs of slowing down his dominance of the mens game. Past Wimbledon Mens Singles Winners 1980 B. Borg (Sweeden) Last American Men's Tennis Player To Win A Grand Slam - Business Insider More Charts With Andy Roddick's announcement that he will retire following the U.S. Open, it is a chilling reminder that he was the last American man to win a Grand Slam singles title way back in 2003. To give you a sense of how long it has been, Andre Agassi won the Australian Open earlier that year. Agassi is also the last American male to win the French Open, with the victory coming in 1999. And in 2000, Pete Sampras was the last to win Wimbledon. If no American male wins this year's U.S. Open, it will be the ninth straight year without a winner from the United States. That is the longest drought in the Open Era (1968-present). And this came immediately after a stretch of 15 straight years with at least one winner...

Follow Sports Chart Of The Day and never miss an update! Get updates in your Facebook news feed. Get updates in your inbox. Get updates in your inbox Subscribe to Sports Chart Of The Day and never miss an update! Ranking the Greatest U.S. Tennis Players by Decade | Bleacher Report Ranking the Greatest U.S. Tennis Players by Decade By JA Allen , Senior Writer Oct 22, 2012 Use your ← → (arrow) keys to browse the slideshow Julian Finney/Getty Images 22 Comments The history of tennis began in Europe, more specifically, France. It was a game—an amusement—for the European trend-setters, the rich and the privileged. That aura of elitism carried over to a foundling American society whose upper strata felt inadequate unless they equaled European mannerisms and trends. Therefore when Mary Ewing Outerbridge, a young U.S. socialite, traveled to Bermuda, she saw a real need to emulate this new entertainment whose popularity continued to increase in England and France. With the help of the most modern innovator of the game, Major Wingfield, Outerbridge planned for the construction of a tennis court at the Staten Island Cricket Club in New Brighton Staten Island, New York.

That marked the beginning of tennis in the United States. Tennis clubs opened in other locales. But, there were different rules at each club. This lack of consistency set the stage for the rise of the United States National Lawn Tennis Association (now the United States Tennis Association) on May 21, 1881. Its primary purpose was to standardize tennis rules and organize competitions. The national championship was established. The U.S. National Men's Singles Championship, now the U.S. Open, was first held in 1881 at Newport, Rhode Island. In the beginning, like most institutions in modern society, the U.S. Open was “open” only to men who competed in singles. In the beginning, tournaments instituted a challenger system, which meant last year’s champion only had to play in the final match when “challenged” to do so. Quite a benefit for the defending champion, who only had to win one match to retake his trophy.This system lasted through 1911. By then, tennis in the United States was beginning to grow into a recognized national sport. It would continue to grow and evolve, churning out champions for the next 13 decades.

The following are the best of the best U.S. male players since tennis began in this country. 1. Richard Sears In the first decade of U.S. tennis—there was Richard Sears. Early top players like Sears, whose career extended from 1880 to 1888, played a much different game than players today. Sears, who won seven consecutive U.S. Open titles from 1881-1887, generally played only the final match in a challenger system. He won his early titles while still a student at Harvard. During his time playing lawn tennis, Sears enjoyed an 18-match winning streak. In fact, Sears never lost during the U.S. Open competition. For the first three years he competed in the U.S. Championships, Sears did not even lose a set. He won his first title at age 19 while still in college—becoming the first ever 19-year-old winner in the United States. Sears also won the U.S. Championship in doubles for six consecutive years, 1882-1887. After winning the 1887 U.S. Championship, Sears retired from the game of lawn tennis.

1890-1899: The Last Decade of the Nineteenth Century Photo at Library of Congress created by Bain News Service 1. Robert Wrenn Adding color in this decade was Robert Wrenn, a lefty who won the U.S. National Championship four years in 1893, 1894, 1896 and 1897. He was the runner-up in 1895 to Fred Hovey. During this decade, Wrenn also won the U.S. Championship in doubles in 1895. He finished second in doubles in 1896 with partner Malcolm Chace. Wrenn haled from Illinois. Teamed with his brother, Wrenn participated in Davis Cup play in 1903. He was ranked world No. 1 in 1897 and was one of the first inductees into the Tennis Hall of Fame. 2. Oliver Campbell For a very long time, Oliver Campbell remained the youngest U.S. Open Champion—achieving that distinction at age 19 years, six months and nine days. The year was 1890.

Campbell held that honor until Pete Sampras broke the record in 1990 when he was 19 years and 28 days old. One hundred years was a long time for a record to stand. After winning the U.S. Championship for the first time, Campbell defended his title consecutive years—from 1890-1892. He also won the doubles titles for three years in 1888, 1890, and1891. Campbell, however, did not return to defend his title in 1893—retiring from the game. 1900-1909: First Decade in the Twentieth Century Bill Larned Photo located at Library of Congress, Creator Bain News Service 1. Bill Larned Like those who preceded him in the game, Bill Larned also came from wealth and privilege. After retiring from tennis, Larned invented an early version of the steel-framed racket. Additionally, he started a company to manufacture it during the 1920s. Larned won the U.S. Open title seven times, just as Richard Sears had done before him.

He took the title in 1901 and 1902 then again from 1907-1911—winning five consecutive times. Larned played on the U.S. Davis Cup teams seven years during his career—helping the U.S. secure the Cup five times. Larned also achieved the U.S. No. 1 ranking. Poor health, however, caused him to retire from the game he loved in 1911 after helping the U.S. win the Davis Cup. 1910-1919: The Fourth Decade of U.S. Tennis Maurice McLoughlin, Little Bill Johnston, Thomas Clark Bundy Photo at LOC, Bain News Service 1. William "Bill" Johnston “Little Bill” Johnston was considered the best tennis player from the United States until “Big Bill” Tilden took over that spot and began to defeat Johnston regularly. But in this decade, Johnston was the superior player, and Tilden was just getting started. Deceiving opponents with his slight frame and frail health, Johnston possessed a wicked forehand, which was long considered the best of all time until Pancho Segura introduced the two-handed forehand into the game.

Tilden and Johnston battled it out in six U.S. Open Championships against each other with Tilden winning five of them. Together the two also secured seven consecutive U.S. Davis Cup Championships, which remains a record today. In addition to winning two U.S. Open Championships in 1915 and 1919, Johnston also won the Wimbledon trophy in 1923. He was ranked world No. 1 in 1919 and again in 1922 sharing the ranking with Gerald Patterson and Bill Tilden respectively. Johnston continued to play tennis until 1928 when he retired. 2. Maurice McLoughlin Also playing tennis during this decade was Maurice McLoughlin. He came from out West—born in Carson City, Nevada. His nickname became the “California Comet.” McLoughlin possessed a tremendous overhead that he used to his advantage complemented by a powerful serve. Winning the singles title at the U.S. Championships in both 1912 and 1913, McLoughlin also won the doubles competition from 1912 to 1914.

In 1913, McLoughlin reached the finals of Wimbledon where he lost in the challenge round to defending champion Tony Wilding—becoming the first U.S. player to reach the finals at the All England Club. McLoughlin was ranked No. 1 in 1914 and retired from tennis in 1919. 3. Richard Norris Williams Richard Norris Williams also won the U.S. Championships twice in this decade. He defeated Maurice McLoughlin in 1914 and Bill Johnston in 1916 in a hard fought five-set battle. Williams also reached the finals in 1913, losing to McLoughlin. Williams won a doubles titles at Wimbledon in 1920 as well as doubles titles at the U.S. Championships in 1925 and 1926. In 1912, he won a mixed-doubles title with Mary Kendall Brown at the U.S. Championships. Williams served on the victorious Davis Cup in 1925 and 1926, playing doubles.

In 1924 in Paris, Williams won a gold medal in mixed doubles with Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman. What is more, Williams survived the sinking of the Titanic, on board the liner during that famous disaster. 1920-1929: Fifty Years of Tennis Plus the Rise of Tilden Bill Tilden (center) Photo at Library of Congress 1. Bill Tilden Bill Tilden, like many of his predecessors, came from a wealthy background. Perfecting his game became an obsession to this man of privilege during the 1920s. This 1920s tennis star was flamboyant, to say the least. Tilden was ranked world No. 1 for seven years during this decade. He remains one of the greatest ever to play the game from the United States––maybe from anywhere. Tilden played in 14 U.S. Open Championships, winning the title seven times. His winning percentage was fixed at 90.79. Throughout his playing career on the grass at Forest Hills, Tilden won the U.S. Open consecutively for six years from 1920-1925.

He won his last Open in 1929 but played his last tournament in 1930 when he ended his amateur career. Tilden also owned the most U.S. titles with 16—seven singles, five doubles and four mixed doubles during his career. In addition, Tilden along with Bill Johnston helped the United States secure seven Davis Cup victories. But Tilden did travel outside the United States during his career, winning three Wimbledon titles in 1920, 1921 and 1930. Additionally, he reached the French Open finals twice in 1927 and 1930, runner-up to Rene Lacoste and Henri Cochet respectively. Tilden also won three Pro-Slam titles during his life as a tennis pro. Though his life ended without honor and dignity, his tennis career should never be overlooked. He was one of the greatest U.S. Open champions to play the game bringing tennis into the national spotlight in the 1920s. 1930-1939: Sixth Decade of U.S. Tennis Photo located at en.wikipedia.org 1.

Don Budge Born in 1915, American Don Budge ascended to the No. 1 ranking in 1937, holding onto the top spot for five years. Budge was the first man in tennis history to win the calendar year Grand Slam. He completed the sweep in 1938. After reaching the finals in 1936 losing to Fred Perry, Budge won the U.S. Open in 1937 and 1938. In all he played in the Open five times, winning twice, ending with a winning percentage of 88.46. He also won two Wimbledon titles, the first in 1937. Budge won four Grand Slam doubles titles in his career, two each at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open as well as four mixed doubles titles at these same two venues. Like many of the greats of this era, once Budge turned professional, his participation in the Grand Slam tournaments ceased. But during those years, Budge won four Pro-Slam titles. 2. Ellsworth Vines Ellsworth Vines played tennis in the thirties along with Don Budge and Brits Fred Perry and Bunny Austin.

Vines was imminently talented and could win almost anything when he set his mind to it. He climbed to the No. 1 ranking for four years in 1932 as an amateur, and in 1935, 1936 and 1937 as a pro. He held the top ranking either alone or shared it with another great during those years. Vines won Wimbledon in 1932 and the U.S. Championships in 1931 and 1932. He also reached the Wimbledon finals in 1933 before turning pro. At age 28, however, Vines retired from professional tennis and became a professional golfer. He did not play tennis long but for the time he did, Vines had an impact on the game, pushing his contemporaries who battled to keep up with him. 1940-1949: The World War II Decade Jack Kramer Photo located at Sportsthenandnow 1. Jack Kramer This man probably did more for modern tennis than anyone living or dead.

Kramer fought hard to establish “Open” tennis for amateurs and professionals so that there was only one tour and the best tennis players met and played each other for equal prize money. It took him until 1968 to usher in the “Open” era in tennis. Kramer also was responsible for founding the ATP. At 6'2", Kramer brought in the style of play that many modern players adopted––the serve and volley. His powerful serve and his net play made many regard him as one the best tennis players ever on the men’s side of the game. Kramer won the U.S. Open Championship in 1946 and 1947, defeating Tom Brown and Frank Parker, respectively. He was runner-up on the grass in New York in 1943 to Joseph Hunt. Kramer won the U.S. Championships in doubles in 1940,1941, 1943 and 1947—winning doubles also at Wimbledon in 1946 and 1947. Kramer also won the Wimbledon singles competition in 1947—ranked world No. 1 in that year.

He turned pro in 1947 and would go on to win two Pro-Slam titles in 1948 and 1949. During World War II, Kramer continued playing while serving in the United States Coast Guard. 2. Frank Parker What distinguished Frank Parker from other champions besides his multiple appearances and wins at the U.S. Open? He is one of the few men in the history of the game who managed to win both the French Open and the U.S. Open during his career. Parker won two French Open titles in 1948 and 1949. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Parker won the U.S. Open in 1944 and 1945. Additionally, he was the runner-up in 1942 to Ted Schroeder and in 1947 to Jack Kramer. What is more, Parker won his U.S. Open Championships while serving as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Force. Besides winning singles titles, Parker also won three Grand Slam doubles titles at the U.S. Championships in 1943 and at the French Open and Wimbledon in 1949.

His career in tennis was a long one for that era lasting from 1933-1949, and he was known for his remarkable all-court game. 3. Bobby Riggs You may remember the name of Bobby Riggs in connection with his “Battle of the Sexes” match against Billie Jean King back in 1973 when Riggs was 55 years of age. His challenge led to much needed favorable publicity for women’s tennis after Billie Jean King won the match. Still, in the 1940s Bobby Riggs was ranked World No. 1 for three years, two of those during his professional career, which began in 1941. He won the Wimbledon title in 1939 by defeating Elwood Cooke of the United States in five sets––having supposedly bet on himself to capture all three titles at Wimbledon that year which he did. Riggs appeared in the the U.S. Open finals three consecutive years from 1939-1941. He won the Championship in 1939 by defeating Welby Van Horn and in 1941 by defeating Frank Kovacs.

Riggs was the runner-up in 1940 to Don McNeil. He also won Grand Slam mixed doubles titles at Wimbledon in 1939 and at the U.S. Championships in 1940. This colorful character was a great U.S. champion. 1950-1959: Eight Decades of U.S. Tennis Pancho Gonzales photo located at Sportsthenandnow 1. Pancho Gonzales Because of economic forces and the structure of tennis before 1968, Pancho Gonzalez played the most significant portion of his career as a professional where he reigned as world No. 1 for eight years against the best playing the game in the 1950s and early 1960s. Gonzalez won the U.S. Open as an amateur in 1948 and 1949 during the earliest years of his 25 year career. He also won 15 Pro-Slam titles. He was, to put it simply, an amazing tennis player regardless of the setting. His serve was dominating as was his net play.

These coupled with an intense drive to win made Gonzalez a champion and took him to the top of the sport. When the match was on the line, Gonzalez simply refused to lose. He slammed the door closed at the end of a match. There simply were none his equal during this period. 2. Tony Trabert Tony Trabert turned pro in 1955 after having one of the greatest years ever in tennis history. He won the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open and reached the semifinals of the Australian Open all in that calendar year. He also won 18 tour titles in 1955, ending the year with a record of 106-17. Trabert was ranked No. 1 in doubles and singles in 1955. In all, Trabert won five career Grand Slam singles titles because prior to 1955, Trabert won the U.S. Open in 1953 as well as the French Open in 1954. In fact Trabert was the last American to win the French title (1955) until Michael Chang won it again in 1989.

Trabert also won five Grand Slam doubles titles at the Australian Open in 1955, the French Open in 1950, 1954 and 1955, and the U.S. Open in 1954. Except for the French Open title in 1950 where he teamed with Bill Talbert, Trabert teamed with Vic Seixas to win the rest of his doubles titles. He also won two Pro-Slam titles—the French Pro in 1956 and 1959. When Trabert retired from tennis, he went on to a successful career in broadcasting, starting in 1971. 3. Vic Seixas Vic Seixas also won majors during the 1950s. In 1953 he won the Wimbledon title and in 1954 Seixas won the U.S. Open championship. Seixas was a runner-up in slam finals three times. Most of Seixas wins, however came in doubles. In Grand Slams he won doubles titles five times and was the runner-up in three.

He teamed most often with Tony Trabert but also won with Mervyn Rose at Wimbledon in 1952. Seixas also won Grand Slam mixed doubles titles—four at Wimbledon from 1953-1956 with Doris Hart and Shirley Fry and three at the U.S. Open in 1953-1955 with Doris Hart. Along with Tony Trabert, Seixas helped the United States win the Davis Cup over Australia in 1954, and these were the years when Australia dominated. In fact, Seixas is ranked fifth in Davis Cup singles competition with 24 match wins. Tilden is just ahead of him with 25 and Ashe leads with 27. He competed on the U.S. Davis Cup team from 1951-1957. Moreover, Seixas continued to compete until he was 46 years of age. 1960-1969: The Beginning of the Open Era in Tennis Getty Images/Getty Images 1. Arthur Ashe Because of Arthur Ashe’s contribution to U.S.

Tennis as well as his humanitarian ventures, the USTA named its center court in his honor—Arthur Ashe Stadium at Flushing Meadows. Fittingly, Ashe held the No. 1 ranking and won the inaugural U.S. Open at the start of the men’s “Open Era” in tennis. He defeated Tom Okker of the Netherlands in a hard-fought final, winning 14-12, 5-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. Ashe also won the Australian Open in 1970 over Dick Crealy of Australia 6-4, 9-7, 6-2. In a stunning upset, Ashe defeated Jimmy Connors in the final of the 1975 Wimbledon Championships, 6-1, 6-1, 5-7, 6-4. He won using superb strategy—never giving Connors any pace. Ashe was instrumental in the formation of the ATP and fought hard for player equality in all nations where tennis was played. Slowed by a heart condition, Ashe retired from tennis in 1980. 2.

Clark Graebner Clark Graebner turned pro in 1968, although he had been playing tennis since 1960. At the time he was known for his fast serve—called the fastest of his time. In 1967, the last year that the U.S. Open was open only to amateurs, Graebner was the runner-up to John Newcombe in the finals. In 1968 he reached the semifinals of both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in the singles competition. In 1966 Graebner with his partner Dennis Ralston won the French Championships in men’s doubles, defeating the infamous team of Ion Tiriac and Ilie Nastase Graebner teamed with Arthur Ashe in 1968 to win the Davis Cup for the United States. They proved a lethal pair, winning the Cup for the next four years. He won four titles on the Grand Prix and WCT tours and ten in doubles since the Open Era began. Overall, Graebner won seven career singles titles and was ranked as high as No. 7. He retired from tennis in 1976. 1970-1979: U.S.

Tennis on the Rise Again Tony Duffy/Getty Images 1. Jimmy Connors After decades of domination by the Australians, tennis in the United States was beginning to thrive. No one embodied the spirit of this new tennis surge than up and coming James Scott Connors. Connors was a man driven to win at all odds. He pumped himself up by feeding on the notion that everything and everybody was against him. That mindset helped Connors to become a force in tennis for many, many years. Connors won five of his seven final appearances at the U.S. Open with an 85.2 total winning percentage (98-17). He is the only male in the history of the U.S. Open to have won the title on three different surfaces––on grass, clay, and hard courts. He won his first title in 1974 and his last in 1983. Connors played in 22 U.S. Opens starting in 1970, and he played his last in 1992 as he turned 40.

Jimbo loved playing in New York where he enjoyed his greatest success on tour even though at times he resented the lack of respect he detected from the American press when his career seemed down and out to them. In 1974, Connors won three of the four majors—all but the French. It was his first U.S. Open final, and he smoked Ken Rosewall 6-1, 6-0, 6-1. His next two U.S. Open wins came in 1976 on clay and 1978 on hard courts against another Connors arch-rival, Bjorn Borg. Connors went on to win another two finals against another No. 1 player, Ivan Lendl in 1982 and 1983, both four-setters. Jimbo also lost two finals at the U.S. Open against Michael Orantes of Spain in 1975 and against Guillermo Vilas of Argentina in 1977. In addition to his five U.S. Open titles, Connors owns two Wimbledon titles and one Australian Open title in singles. In doubles, Connors won at Wimbledon in 1973 and at the U.S.

Open in 1975. He achieved his first world No. 1 ranking in 1974 but would hold the top spot most of this decade. Connors will always have a place in the hearts of Americans as one of their greatest players. 2. Stan Smith Stan Smith enjoyed success in both singles and doubles on the men’s tour. He played from 1972 until 1985 when Smith hung up his competitive racket. While he played, he won two major championships: the U.S. Open in 1972 over Jan Kodes and the 1970 Australian Open, defeating Ilie Nastase. Smith achieved the No. 1 ranking in 1972. With his partner Bob Lutz, Smith won the U.S. Open doubles title four times in 1968, 1974, 1978, and 1980. The pair teamed to win the Australian Open in 1970. Once he retired, Smith entered the coaching realm where he exerted a great deal of influence in American tennis. 1980-1989: The Decade of Serve and Volley Tennis Steve Powell/Getty Images 1.

John McEnroe While Roscoe Tanner and Vital Gerulaitis won a few battles, this decade was dominated in the beginning by John McEnroe and his constant foe Jimmy Connors. No one brought more drama to the courts in Flushing Meadows than New Yorker, John McEnroe. His brazen behavior and hot temper were either adored or abhorred by the fans who watched his meltdowns over line calls and umpire overrules. McEnroe competed 16 times at the U.S. Open with an 84.6 winning percentage (66-12). Johnny Mac played his first U.S. Open in 1977 and his last in 1992. He won four singles championships, three consecutively from 1979-1981 and another in 1984. McEnroe also won 4 men’s doubles titles at the U.S. Open. In 1979 McEnroe defeated fellow New Yorker and best friend Vitas Gerulaitis in the final 7-5, 6-3, 6-3. It marked McEnroe’s first slam victory at age 20.

In 1980, it would not be quite so easy as McEnroe faced Bjorn Borg in the final enduring five grueling sets before he won 7-6, 6-1, 6-7, 5-7, 6-4. In 1981 when McEnroe again faced Borg, the match was not nearly so competitive but it turned out to remarkable for another reason. When Borg lost 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 to McEnroe, he walked away from professional tennis. In 1984,McEnroe returned to Flushing Meadows for his final U.S. Open title––in fact his final slam victory. He defeated Ivan Lendl 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 in the men’s finals.The following year Lendl would defeat McEnroe. McEnroe's most famous battles, however, came at Wimbledon where he fought with Bjorn Borg, losing in 1980 but winning in 1981. McEnroe would win again 1983-1984.

He also won the Wimbledon doubles titles four times—three in the 1980s. Johnny Mac will always be remembered as one of the most colorful and explosive American players who loved the rowdy crowds in New York. 1990-1999: The Most Dominating U.S. Decade Simon Bruty/Getty Images 1. Pete Sampras Although most fans associate the Sampras aura with Wimbledon, his success at the U.S. Open remains truly remarkable. His appearance in eight finals is a record that will be hard to match, although Federer is still active and within two of reaching that mark. In the Open era Sampras, with five championships, remains tied with Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer for the most victories at the U.S. Open, where Sampras holds an 88.75 winning percentage (71-9). Sampras played at the U.S. Open 14 times, beginning in 1988, missing only one appearance in 1999 due to injury. Sampras won his first title at age 19 and his last at age 31, both at the U.S. Open.

In 1990, Sampras captured his first win over Andre Agassi in straight sets 6-4, 6-3, 6-2. Pistol Pete won his second U.S. Open title in 1993 over France’s Cedric Pioline, seeded 15th. Sampras won back-to-back championships in 1995-1996 defeating fellow American Andre Agassi. In 1996 Sampras defeated Michael Chang 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 to pick up his fourth U.S. Open title. The next title would not happen for six long years and would mark Sampras' fifth and final U.S. Open title in 2002. Standing across the net was the man he had beaten twice before for the title, Agassi. The two Americans fought hard for four sets with Sampras coming out on top. After the 2002 U.S. Open concluded, Sampras decided to call it a career after winning his 14th major. To date, Sampras holds the mantle in the eyes of most tennis authorities as the best so far to play the game of tennis at the U.S.

Open on the center court at the Billie Jean National Tennis Center. Sampras also won two Australian Open titles in 1994 and 1997 as well as seven Wimbledon titles won in 1993-1995 and 1997-2000. Sampras won 14 Grand Slam Singles titles but never managed to capture the French. In all, most regard Sampras as the greatest U.S. champion. 2. Andre Agassi Andre Agassi became the athlete who refused to quit. Although Agassi could fit into the decade of the 1990s as well as the 2000s, the most significant part of his career came during this decade. He appeared at the U.S. Open 21 consecutive years with an 80.6 total winning percentage (79-19). Agassi played his first U.S. Open at age 16 in 1986 and his last in 2006 at age 36. In the end Agassi remained a favorite of the New York crowds, who grew to embrace this champion as Agassi matured. His first U.S.

Open victory came in 1994 as Agassi defeated German Michael Stich 6-1, 7-6, 7-5. Then in 1999, Agassi came out on top against fellow American Todd Martin 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 6-3, 6-2 in a thrilling five-set match, which Agassi refused to lose. Agassi also lost in his last final appearance against Roger Federer in 2005 when Federer won his second consecutive New York title. Agassi also won the Australian Open title in 1995, 2000, 2001, 2003 as well as the French Open in 1999 and Wimbledon in 1992. Plus, Agassi won a gold medal for men's tennis in 1996 during the Summer Games in Atlanta. The win in Paris in 1999 gave Agassi a career Golden Slam. Agassi will always be remembered for his competitive spirit, his brilliant return game, and his aggressive ground strokes. 3. Jim Courier Current U.S.

Davis Cup coach, Jim Courier is a former world No. 1 player who was born in Sanford, Florida. He reached the No. 1 ranking in 1992. Courier, who reached his peak in the early 1990s, played right-handed and employed a two-handed backhand. A steady and thoughtful player, Courier became a rare American who excelled on the red clay at Stade de Roland Garros. A contemporary of Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, Courier maximized his strengths and worked his way to the top of the men’s game. He won the Australian Open twice in 1992-1993, defeating Stefan Edberg in both years. Courier also won the French Open twice in 1991-1992, defeating Andre Agassi and Petr Korda, respectively. During his career, Courier won 23 titles, and was ranked No. 1 for a total of 58 weeks. Courier retired from tennis in 2000. 4. Michael Chang Michael Chang was the youngest player ever to win a grand slam when he won the 1989 French Open at the age of 17.

He defeated Stefan Edberg in a five-set final. But most remember his epic five-set battle with Ivan Lendl in the fourth round. After winning that war, the young American advanced all the way to the championship match. In 1996 Chang also reached the finals of the Australian Open and the U.S. Open losing to Boris Becker and Pete Sampras, respectively. Chang had tremendous foot speed and remained tireless on court. Standing only 5’9", Chang often had to run for his life to keep pace with his taller competitors. During his peak years, Chang remained in the top ten of men’s tennis. His highest ranking was world No. 2, which he achieved in September of 1996. 1. Andy Roddick Once serve and volley tennis died, replaced by baseline, all-court tennis, the players from the United States took a back-seat to the Europeans who reigned throughout the majority of this decade. In addition to Andre Agassi, whose career was receding and who never played serve and volley tennis, there was Andy Roddick. Former U.S. Open champion Andy Roddick began playing professional tennis in 2000 at age 18.

He won his only grand slam championship in 2003, defeating Juan Carlos Ferrero in the finals of the U.S. Open. He ascended to the No. 1 ranking in November of 2003. Roddick also reached three finals at Wimbledon in 2004, 2005 and in 2009 where he lost each time to world No. 1 Roger Federer. Perhaps Roddick’s greatest contribution to U.S. tennis came during his participation in Davis Cup competition where the big serving Roddick helped keep the U.S. competitive, starting in 2001. The U.S. Davis Cup team enjoyed their biggest triumph in 2007 when they faced Russia in Portland, Oregon, with a team which had Roddick as its undisputed leader. Roddick won the first point in the final and set the USA’s 32nd victory in the competition into motion. The match ended in a convincing 4-1 scoreline. Team USA had won the Davis Cup. In total Roddick played in 45 matches in 25 ties—his record stands at 33-12.

Roddick emerged on the scene during a major paradigm shift in men's tennis. The glory of days of serve and volley tennis essentially died with Pete Sampras. The game of big serves and minimal strokes would end as technology enhanced rackets and the courts slowed. Roddick's game was already fixed and suited his talents. Even though he worked tirelessly to improve his ground strokes and his movement, he never quite mastered them well enough after 2003 to reach to the top again. But Roddick remained in the men's top 10 for a over decade and kept tennis alive and kicking in the U.S. What is next? Who will take the reins now that Roddick has retired. These are questions unanswered as we enter the third year of the current decade of tennis in the U.S.

US Open 2014: Kei Nishikori vs Marin Cilic - the men's singles final from Flushing Meadows in numbers - Telegraph US Open US Open 2014: Kei Nishikori vs Marin Cilic - the men's singles final from Flushing Meadows in numbers The US Open final will be the first time in nine years that none of the Big Four has contested a grand slam final. It is just one of a number of startling statistics surrounding a most unlikely final Face off: Marin Cilic meets Kei Nishikori in the final of the US Open Photo: EPA; GETTY IMAGES Follow Kei Nishikori and Marin Cilic meet on Monday night in the most unlikely US Open final in many years. You could have got odds of 250/1 on either man to win the title earlier this summer and the extraordinary statistics do not stop there. The last 38 grand slam finals have all featured at least one member of the so-called 'Big Four' (Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray).

During that nine-year period Federer has made 25 final appearances in all, Nadal (20), Djokovic (14) and Murray (7). The last time a grand slam final was played without a member of the 'Big Four' was the Australian Open final in 2005, when Marat Safin beat Lleyton Hewitt 1–6, 6–3, 6–4, 6–4. Nishikori began the tournament as 10th seed while Cilic was 14th-seed. It is 12 years since none of the top-eight seeds made the final of a grand slam final. On that occasion, at the French Open in 2002, Alberto Costa beat Juan Carlos Ferrero 6–1, 6–0, 4–6, 6–3.

Related Articles Peng and Makarova out to upset odds 04 Sep 2014 Nishikori and Cilic are both looking for their maiden grand slam title on Monday night, joining Stanislas Wawrinka - who lifted the Australian Open in Jnauary - as first time winners of a 'slam' in the same year. The last time at least two men won maiden singles titles was 2003 when three players - Juan Carlos Ferrero (French Open), Roger Federer (Wimbledon) and Andy Roddick (US Open) - claimed their first major title. Regardless of who wins on Monday night this will be the first time since 1998 that all eight singles grand slam titles are held by different players. It will be only the third time since the start of the Open era that this has happened.

2014 men's and women's singles champions Men's singles champion Top 16 American Tennis Players from 1990-2012 | Bleacher Report Top 16 American Tennis Players from 1990-2012 Use your ← → (arrow) keys to browse the slideshow Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Venus and Serena Williams of the United States 75.1K 7 Comments The days of American tennis domination are clearly in the past. With countries such as Russia, Serbia, and Spain dominating the top-20 rankings on the Men's and Women's tours, the field of gifted tennis nations has truly become diverse. However, the United States has still produced some of the best tennis champions over the past 20 years. Here is a look at 16 of the most successful American tennis players since 1990. Russell Cheyne/Getty Images Zina Garrison Zina Garrison would withstand the pressure of high expectations as the first African-American woman to reach the top 10 since Althea Gibson. Garrison was quick around the court and crafty at the net.

She would reach the 1990 Wimbledon singles Final, as well as the Mixed Doubles Final that year. An Olympic gold medalist from the '80s, Garrison would also win 14 WTA Singles titles and 20 WTA Doubles titles in the '90s. Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Todd Martin Todd Martin took a unique path to becoming professional, playing four years of college tennis at Northwestern University before joining the ATP Tour. Once on tour the serve-and-volley player would make two Grand Slam Finals (1994, 1999), as well as a career-high ranking of No. 4 in 1999. Martin would also win eight ATP Singles titles and five ATP Doubles titles, earning over $8 Million in prize money. Paul Gilham/Getty Images Lisa Raymond Lisa Raymond may not have had a standout singles career on the WTA. However as a Doubles expert Raymond would more than prove her tremendous abilities on the court. Another rare player to have come through college, Lisa was a college star athlete at The University of Florida.

Raymond would go on to earn six Grand Slam Doubles titles, five Grand Slam Mixed Doubles titles, 79 WTA Doubles titles, a No.1 Doubles ranking in 2000 and an Olympic bronze medal in 2012. Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Michael Chang Although Michael Chang's lone Grand Slam Victory came before 1990 (1989 French Open), Chang was a top player throughout the '90s. Standing at only 5'9'', Chang used his quickness and court savvy to be competitive with the world's best and strongest. Chang made history by becoming not only one of the youngest ever Grand Slam winners, but also the first of Asian ethnicity. During his 15-year career, Chang would win 34 ATP titles, three Grand Slam Final appearances (one win), over $19 Million in prize money and a career-high ranking of No. 2 in 1996. Simon Bruty/Getty Images Mary-Jo Fernandez Mary-Jo Fernandez was a pioneer Latin-American athlete and skilled tennis player. Although she had trouble with Graf, and Seles, her grit and determination would get her to three Grand Slam Finals.

Fernandez also won back-to-back Olympic gold medals in Doubles (1992, 1996), and a bronze medal in Singles (1992). With a career-high ranking of No. 4 in 1990, Fernandez would win seven WTA Singles titles and 17 WTA Doubles titles. Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images Martina Navritilova Martina Navritilova is the most accomplished tennis player of all time. However, from 1990-2012, Navritilova would have only her win at the 1990 Wimbledon. She also won the US Open Doubles titles in 1990, the Wimbledon Mixed Doubles titles in 1993, 1995 and 2003, the Australian Open Mixed Doubles title in 2003 and the US Open Mixed Doubles title in 2006. Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Monica Seles Although Monica Seles is one of the most accomplished women in tennis, she only played for the United States from 1995-2003, before which she played for Yugoslavia.

Only one of her nine Grand Slam titles would come as an American citizen. Therefore, in analyzing the greatest American tennis players over the past 22 years, only Seles' 1996 Australian Open victory qualifies. Seles would, however, win an Olympic bronze medal for the United States in 2000 and several WTA titles after 1995. Joe Scarnici/Getty Images Mike and Bob Bryan The Bryan brothers are the most successful doubles team of all time. The twins have captivated tennis audiences for over a decade. Bob Bryan has 81 ATP Career Doubles titles, 12 Grand Slam Doubles titles, and seven Mixed Doubles titles; Mike holds 83 ATP Career Doubles titles, 12 Grand Slam Doubles titles, and three Mixed Doubles titles. The two also won the gold medal in Doubles at the 2012 London games. #8: Andy Roddick Mike Stobe/Getty Images Andy Roddick turned pro in 2000, and immediately made an impression on the Men's field. "The Great American Hope" of the new millennium, Roddick had big shoes to fill after Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi retired.

His 12-year career included 32 ATP Tour titles, a No. 1 ranking in 2003, over $20 Million in prize money, four Grand Slam Finals and the 2003 US Open Championship win. In 2004, Roddick hit what was then the fastest serve ever in professional tennis, measuring at 155 MPH during a Davis Cup match on hard court in Charleston, South Carolina. Chris Cole/Getty Images Jennifer Capriatti Jennifer Capriatti turned professional in 1990 as a teenage prodigy. She won the Olympic gold in Barcelona at the 1992 Olympics, defeating Steffi Graf. Although Capriatti's career was plagued by off-court controversy and on-court injuries, she managed to win 14 Career WTA titles, three Grand Slam titles, and a No.1 ranking in 2001. After taking off several years in the '90s, Capriatti will be remembered as one of the best comeback stories in tennis. Bob Martin/Getty Images Jim Courier Jim Courier turned professional in 1988. The Florida-born redhead competed admirably in a generation dominated by the rivalry of Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi.

However, during the '90s Courier was a mainstay in the second week of Grand Slams, and became a crowd favorite. Courier's resume includes 23 ATP Career Titles, six Grand Slam Finals (four Wins), and a No.1 ranking in 1992. Gary M. Prior/Getty Images Lindsay Davenport California native Lindsay Davenport is known as being one of the cleanest ball-strikers in tennis. Her textbook-perfect form and strong physique was a consistent presence on the WTA tour in the '90s and '00s. Often overlooked in favor of fellow Americans Serena and Venus Williams or Jennifer Capriatti, the shy Davenport made a name for herself on the court and not in the media. Her resume includes 55 WTA Titles, a No. 1 ranking in Singles and Doubles, an Olympic gold medal in 1996, three Grand Slam Singles titles, three Grand Slam Doubles titles and over $22 Million in prize earnings. Cameron Spencer/Getty Images Venus Williams Venus Williams shocked the world when she made the final of her first-ever Grand Slam at the 1997 US Open.

Since that time, she has changed the game with her powerful serve, athletic prowess and no-nonsense persona. Venus has the fastest-recorded serve ever by a female player at 129 MPH. She is perhaps more significant to tennis for her civil rights contributions in the fight for equal prize money for women. Venus' resume includes 43 WTA Singles titles, 20 WTA Doubles titles, seven Grand Slam Singles titles, 13 Grand Slam Doubles titles, two Grand Slam Mixed Doubles titles, four Olympic gold medals, a No.1 ranking in Singles and Doubles and over $28 Million in prize earnings. Simon Bruty/Getty Images Andre Agassi Andre Agassi was a true tennis superstar. With his on-court fashion flare, and off-court celebrity love life, Agassi kept the media wanting more. He was one half of the greatest rivalry of the '90s with Pete Sampras. Agassi is well-loved by tennis fans for both his crafty tennis game and his humanitarian work with children. Agassi's resume includes 60 ATP titles, eight Grand Slam Singles titles, an Olympic gold medal in 1996, a No.

1 ranking in 1995 and over $30 Million in prize earnings. Craig Prentis/Getty Images Pete Sampras Pete Sampras was the premier tennis player of the '90s. He dominated the Men's Tour with a serve-and-volley game that was unmatched. Quiet, humble and hard working, Sampras conducted himself as a role model for other ATP athletes to follow both on and off court. Sampras does not rank No. 1 because he was unable to win a Grand Slam at The French Open, nor was he ever able to capture an Olympic gold medal, or any Double's Grand Slam titles. However, what he was able to accomplish in his career is truly remarkable, and his stellar resume secures him as the best American Male Tennis Player ever, with no one on the horizon to challenge him. His achievements include 64 ATP Tour titles, 14 Grand Slam Singles titles, five ATP Tour Championship titles and a seven-time run at ending the year ranked No. 1. Jamie Squire/Getty Images Serena Williams With her first Grand Slam victory at the 1999 US Open, Serena Williams made her goal of domination in Women's Tennis no secret.

In 2002-2003 Serena held all four Grand Slam titles, dubbed the "Serena Slam". With the best serve to ever come through women's professional tennis, Williams has won Grand Slam titles for a span of over 13 years. With several major wins on hard courts, grass, clay and indoor courts, Serena has proven to be successful on all surfaces, as well as in Singles and Doubles play. A controversial and emotional player, Williams has brought legions of first-time followers to tennis. This soon-to-be-Hall-of-Famer's resume includes 15 Grand Slam Singles titles, a "Career Grand Slam" (all four majors), 13 Grand Slam Doubles titles, two Mixed Doubles titles, two WTA Championship titles, 45 WTA Singles titles, 22 WTA Doubles titles, four Olympic gold medals, a No. 1 ranking in both Singles and Doubles, and over $40 Million in prize earnings (first all-time among women athletes and fourth all-time among tennis athletes).

Question: Who was the last American tennis player to win the men's singles title at the US Open?
Answer: Andy Roddick